Brawn: Schumacher still determined

The seven-time champion has been outqualified and outraced by team-mate Nico Rosberg in the first four races of the year, and he has managed just 10 points compared to Rosberg's 50.

Brawn says, however, that Schumacher is far from ready to throw in the towel and reckons the German will enjoy a stronger outing in Spain next week.

"Michael is determined to succeed. He was always his own best and worst critic," Brawn was quoted as saying by the the Sun newspaper. "He is incredibly dedicated and competitive but also very structured.

"He is not the sort of guy who will panic when things aren't going well. He will analyse what is happening and reflecting on that and, for sure, the race in Shanghai was disappointing.

"But we are already getting to understand the reasons for that and are learning lessons from that. We have to make sure that in Barcelona for the next race we get it right and perform better.

"His experience is very useful and that was part of the thinking when he joined the team. The biggest challenge is for everyone to treat him normally as he is such an icon."

Brawn also praised his former driver Jenson Button for his performance so far this year as Lewis Hamilton's team-mate at McLaren.

And he admitted he was sorry to see Button leave after winning the title last year.

"I was disappointed Jenson left," he said. "He felt people were of the opinion he only won the world championship because he had the best car. So he left us to show them he could do it again elsewhere.

"We are still friends. We were on the same flight back from Malaysia and we had a good chat. But on the racetrack it is different. There are no friends on the racetrack.

"Jenson was a fabulous member of our team last year but now he is the history and we have to beat him.

"He also wanted to prove himself at McLaren against the guy who is probably the fastest and most naturally talented in motor racing - Lewis Hamilton. He's set himself a massive challenge and he is doing very well so far."